ggrec cranbourne gateway 3977 the official journal …ggrec.org.au/magazines/200611.pdf · new...

GGREC PO BOX 1098 CRANBOURNE 3977 GATEWAY

THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE GIPPSLAND GATE RADIO

AND ELECTRONICS CLUB inc. November 2006

Incorporation Number A0016893M

Club Meetings are held on the third Friday of each month at the Cranbourne Girl Guide Hall in Grant Street. Prac nights are held on the first Friday night in the Club- rooms. Both nights commence at 8:00 PM. Visitors will be made most welcome. President Albert Hubbard VK3BQO (5659 6562) Secretary Phil Pavey VK3YB (5995 7484) Treasurer Mike Ide VK3KTO Committee Members : Reg VK3UK, Helmut VK3DHI, Ivan VK3ARV Magazine Editor: Andrew VK3HFA,

Club Station VK3BJA located in the clubrooms. 6M Repeater VK3RDD : Freq. In 52.575, out 53.575 MHz

70cm Repeater VK3RLP Freq. In 434.475, out 439.475MHz CTCSS 123Hz IRLP Node Number- 6794 (Using VK3RLP)

Call in Frequencies are: HF on 28.325 MHz, USB VHF on 146.225 MHz, FM and UHF on 438.850 MHz,

Visit our internet site at: www.ggrec.org.au

Current GGREC inc. Membership Fee Schedule Full Member $37.00, Pensioner Member $22.00

Junior Member $22.00, Extra Family Member $17.00 Fees due after each April Annual General Meeting.

The deadline for articles is TWELVE DAYS before each General meeting.

Please direct magazine correspondence to:

Andrew Clinkaberry, 1 Carney St. Nar Nar Goon Vic 3812 Phone: 5942 5396 or email [email protected]

All other Club correspondence to P.O. Box 1098, Cranbourne 3977

or Email : [email protected]

It costs lots of cents to produce and send each copy of Gateway.

Disclaimer- The opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the official view of the GGREC inc and the GGREC inc cannot be held responsible for incorrect information published.

GATEWAY MAGAZINE

SPECIALIZING IN TWO-WAY RADIO, CAR AUDIO & ALARM SYSTEMS

AUTHORISED DEALER FOR: Barrett R.F.D.S – Kenwood – Icom - Gme Electrophone – Uniden -Yaesu

HF & UHF Amateur, CB & Marine Radios Receivers, Scanners, GPS & Accessories

Sales – Installation – Repairs

Commercial Two-Way Radio Systems Visa, Bankcard and Mastercard

Shop 2 207 High St Cranbourne

Shop: 5996-3298 or Mobile: 0417 387 515

Ponderosa BQO from the air, see page 9 for story

Chief Pilot Geoff ZGW

So it’s not really a doughnut after all…. It’s a mush-room!

Page 15 GATEWAY MAGAZINE

It has been noted that there appears to be interference getting into the input from a cable TV source somewhere in Cranbourne. Investigations are continuing. • Russ White VK3MWR mentioned that June Fox had passed away. June was a valued member of the WIA, having worked in the Caulfield office for many years. Anyone who had been in contact with the WIA office would have been helped by June. She will be sadly missed. New Business: • Andrew Clinkaberry has fulfilled one of his ambitions - to be a radio disc jockey !! Andrew is presenting a program on 103.1 FM on Wednesday nights at 8:00 PM. Tune in and listen as Andrew is giving the Club some good exposure. • Albert Hubbard was “ONAIR” as he was flown around the South Eastern towns of Melbourne by Geoff Williams – VK3ZGW. Albert flew over Pakenham, Drouin, Cranbourne, and Nyora landing safely at Tooradin. GGREC Club mem-bers were in constant communications with Albert during the flight on 146.225 MHz. To say that Albert was excited would be an understatement!! Photos will be on display at the next Prac / GM night. Thanks must go to Geoff for providing this great opportunity. • 2007 Call book orders are now being taken by the WIA. Copies will be available from G&C Communications in Cranbourne. Call in and say hello one of our valued sponsors. • The Christmas Hamper is now available for members to fill up. The Club will be providing a HAM for the hamper. Please bring your donations to the next Prac or GM meetings. Raffle tickets are $1 each or 3 for $2. • The GGREC Christmas break-up party will be at the Cardinia Dam Reser-voir. Enter via Cardinia Creek rd (Melway map 126 B-11). Contact us on 146.225 MHz on arrival to find out where we have set up camp. • There has been a suggestion that we get Tony Langdon - VK3JED to come along and give us a talk on the latest development with IRLP. The only blocker is that Tony lives in Laverton and may not agree to make the long trip to Cran-bourne. Albert will contact Tony so stay tuned, there is more info to come. If Tony agrees to come, we will organise a special meeting at the Club rooms for this event. It will not be a Prac or GM night. ******** IMPORTANT NOTICE ********

NO PRAC NIGHT IN JANUARY 2007

November Prac night is on the night before the Maryborough trip so there may not be many regulars turning up on that night. Don’t let that stop you from going just make sure you have a key to get in. Meeting Closed at around 9:03.753 PM.

(Continued from page 14)

GATEWAY MAGAZINE

Meeting Minutes Date: 20th October 2006 Start time: 08:15 PM. Location: Guide Hall Cranbourne. Chairperson: Albert Hubbard VK3BQO Minute Taker: Bruno Tonizzo VK3BFT Present: As per attendance sheet. Visitors and Guests: Nil Apologies: Phil Pavey VK3YB, Ian Jackson, VK3BUF, Dianne Jackson VK3HDI, Ross Jackson VK3ZAP, Hal Jackson, Ron Robertson, VK3EXJ, Naree Ide. Correspondence Received: EMDRC Monthly Magazine. Letter for Public Li-ability Insurance renewal. AR Magazine. Correspondence Sent: Nil Treasurer’s Report: Income : $194.00 Expenditure : $625.69 Balance : $5336.68 (See tabled fi-nancial report). Read by: Mike Ide, VK3KTO Moved by: Helmut Inhoven, VK3DHI Seconded by: Russ White VK3MWR Carried: Yes New Call signs - Nil Previous Minutes: As printed in the March 2006 GATEWAY magazine. Read by: Albert Hubbard Moved by: Mike Ide, VK3KTO Seconded by: Graeme Brown VK3BXG Carried: Yes Business Arising from Previous Minutes: • Foundation Licence training & assessment will be on the weekend of 28/29 October at the Peter Pavey GGREC Clubroom. The assessment will be conducted by Peter VK3TQ & Bill VK3DOU. • The new GGREC Membership list has been sent out. Please let the com-mittee know if errors are still present. • Maryborough weekend trip looks like being a great success. A Saturday Pub night has been booked, the first 20 people will get in. (The others will need to keep drinking in the bar !!-VK3BFT) • JOTA will start tomorrow at 1:00 PM Helpers can arrive at approx 11:00 AM to set up and prepare the Hall / radio room etc. Please come along and be part of a great day, demonstrating what amateur radio can do for the community. • The new GGREC radio room has been officially named the Peter Pavey GGREC Clubroom. The Committee will now prepare a sign / plaque to be placed on the building. • IRLP repeater is working OK with new repeater identification recordings stating the location and access frequency of the repeater.

(Continued on page 15)

GATEWAY MAGAZINE

The Pres Says….. A few of us have just returned from the Maryborough trip. In fact 23 attended the Pub on Saturday night. These in-cluded Kerry and Lynne Clayton who we all thanked for having things ready for us when we arrived. The weekend was a great success due to their organis-ing but we also thanked Ian and Dianne Jackson for their adventures earlier in the year to reconnoitre the area. There was plenty to see and do all weekend and I think Paul Stubbs may have shot a few Gigabytes of photos for posterity. So there’s our Cup Weekend trip gone for another year. I don’t suppose it is too early to start wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. As this edition is being sent to you during November and there is no December edition (maybe), this will be my last chance to put these words to paper in 2006. Once again it has been a very busy year for radio, work and home. I am happy with my own progress in all three activities but I have a list of things to do that will never be finished. I keep saying I love having things to do but sometimes it is nice to take a break from it all. I hope everyone else is going to have a restful holiday period – One that is safe and fun. Thanks to those guys who took the time to help at JOTA this year. The guides were most appreciative and I must ad-mit the meals we received were ex-tremely tasty. Few contacts were made as conditions were not all that great. However we burned a few of the cob-webs from the Club rigs. Also a very special thanks to the people

who gave up their weekend to perform the training and consequent examina-tion of five candidates for the Founda-tion Certificate. The weekend was very tiring for all but I am sure we all walked away feeling satisfied that we had done our best to pass on as much useful information as we could in the time allotted to us. The information must have been ok as 4 out of 5 passed the written exam and all 5 passed the practical exam. Congratulations to all the participants and we hope to hear them on the air as soon as they are able to get a callsign. In particular we must thank Pater VK3TQ from FAM-PARC who gave up his Sunday to help us with our first session. Also Bill VK3DOU who has been tireless in his efforts to become an assessor and be-come experienced. Of course for those who didn’t know, Graeme VK3BXG is an invigilator and worked with the assessors on the day. He also requires thanking for his efforts. The Christmas Hamper is looking pretty sad this year. Please make a concerted effort to fill the basket at this meeting as the tickets will be sold at the meeting and during the break up, and the winner will be drawn at the break up. Well that’s it for ’06. See you at the Meeting and the Break-up Party at Cardinia on the 9th December (see map in mag.) 73s Albert Vk3BQO

GATEWAY MAGAZINE

NEVER FLATTEN YOUR CAR BATTERY AGAIN

SM155: $162.00, SM155b: $107.00, Postage: $6.00 (10% discount for GGREC members)

The SM155 battery link ver-sion is shown here

The SM155b module will automatically activate your communications equipment & 12V accessories when you start your engine. It will power down your equipment 9 or 90 minutes after your engine is turned off. The larger SM155 version has a 200Amp contactor to manage the charging of a second battery for your vehicle. This per-mits you to jump-start your vehicle at a push of a button.

Both versions are microprocessor controlled and feature LED function indi-cators, manual override controls and chirp morse code status tones when linking and un-linking to batteries. Full details available at the web site.

12 month warranty

Contact Alian Electronics on (03) 5625 2545 or visit: alianelectronics.com.au

Biggles Hubbard - see story page 9 (Who’s flying that thing then?)


ACMA to investigate BPL interference

The extremely high level of interfer-ence experienced by radio amateur Ian Paul VK3FIOP at Mt Beauty in north-east Victoria is now the sub-ject of a written complaint to the Australian Communications and Me-dia Authority. He has exercised his right as the holder of an apparatus licence to lodge a formal written complaint to ACMA about the inter-ference. Ian has a firm ground for doing so. The interference was confirmed as BPL, its source known and substan-tial and harmful impact to this li-censed amateur service communica-tions well documented. The latest is that the BPL system operated by SP AusNet radiates 60dB over S9 signal emissions over the entire 3.5 MHz to 30 MHz spec-trum. Ian VK3FIOP appears to be the first VK radio amateur to actually lodge a formal complaint of interference to ACMA. The amateur service, being a li-censed radiocommunications service, is protected from substantial inter-ference under sections of the Radio-communications Act. ACMA is the Authority responsible for administrating the provisions of

the Act and is required to investi-gate cases of interference when they are reported. Without complaints, BPL opera-tors may be able to claim that the technology is not cited in any for-mal way to have caused interfer-ence to radiocommunications. It is vitally important that any radio amateur affected by BPL interference first verify that the interference is in fact caused by a BPL system, and secondly lodge an effective interference complaint with ACMA. Without a valid and effective in-terference complaint lodged with ACMA little can be done. The WIA provides a BPL interfer-ence advisory service to all radio amateurs - whether they are WIA members and non-members. Check out http://www.wia.org.au/BPL/ Also available is an MP3 audio file of the BPL interference recorded by Ian VK3FIOP. Check it out http://www.wia.org.au/BPL/bplaudio_operat.mp3

GATEWAY MAGAZINE

VHF data weak signal segments

Over the past few years, tremendous advances have been made in weak signal communications on the VHF and UHF bands using computer gen-erated data modes. "These modes enable communica-tions at or below the noise floor. Amateurs with modest stations are now making contacts over thousands of kilometers via EME and Meteor Scatter using these new modes"., WIA Director, Glenn Dunstan VK4DU said. "However, often these very weak data signals can not be detected by ear, which makes them incompatible with normal analogue SSB or CW signals. There have been instances

of interference caused by SSB op-erators who obviously can't hear the data signals". Should there be specific data sub bands, and, if so, where should they be? "The WIA seeks your comments on the suitability of VHF and UHF weak signal data sub bands. If there is sufficient support, we will modify the respective band plans to accommodate these new seg-ments." Glenn said. Please send your comments by email to Glenn at [email protected]

• Adults are always asking little kids what they want to be when they grow up because they're looking for ideas. Paula Poundstone

• There's nothing that can help you understand your beliefs more than trying to explain them to an inquisitive child. Frank A. Clark

• The easiest way to teach children the value of money is to borrow some from them. Anonymous

• He who teaches children learns more than they do. German Proverb

• Children are the anchors that hold a mother to life. Sophocles

• Humour helps us to think out of the box. The average child laughs about 400 times per day, the average adult laughs only 15 times per day. What happened to the other 385 laughs? Anonymous

GATEWAY MAGAZINE

Christmas Hamper

Each year we put stuff in the basket and then raffle it off. The club makes a bit of money and somebody scores a good hit for Christmas.

HOWEVER WE NEED MORE

STUFF TO MAKE IT UP TO STAN-

DARD!

Bring something along to the next

meeting and help to make this years Hamper the best yet!

GATEWAY MAGAZINE

I am under strict instructions not to forget

Christmas Breakup Our GGREC Christmas break up will take place at the Cardinia Reservoir on the 9th December 2006. Some committee members will be there at around 10.30 AM to reserve a space in the BBQ area.

How to get there:

The entrance is from Wellington Road in to Car-dinia Creek Road. (Melway 126B11) Also, please re-fer to the two maps in the magazine.

Drive through the gate and follow the road down to the carpark near BBQ area. A short walk takes you to the spacious BBQ area. Bring your chairs and camping tables along. Open fire places and fire wood is provided by the park.

Communication is via 146.225 Mhz.

73 de Helmut, VK3DHI

CTCSS FOR IRLP IS NOW 123Hz

See maps on the following pages - follow the big black arrows!!!! (To Duffys Picnic Area) Wishing everybody a very merry, and safe, Christmas—there will be no gateway next month-be good or the fat man won’t


GGREC MARYBOROUGH WEEKEND 2006 By Dianne Jackson

involved in looking through a tele-scope? Or that the sun was really an exercise ball. Monday: Ian and I were chauffeur driven to some wineries in Avoca by Bruno, in his Citroen, very comfort-able. Next on the itinerary was Moliagul, where the welcome stranger gold nugget was found. We walked through the bush for a while and then we were off to the Dunolly bakery, where we picked up a coffee scroll that was the size of a dinner plate, yum. Tuesday: Said goodbye to Kerry and Lyn at the caravan park in the morn-ing, then drove home in light traffic. We had a fantastic time and I thank Kerry and Lyn for all their help with planning and organizing this great weekend.


GATEWAY MAGAZINE


Friday: Ian VK3BUF and I, VK3JDI, arrived at the caravan park at about 7pm . We grabbed a quick bite to eat and then joined Kerry Clayton VK3KFC at the meeting of the local amateur radio club, where we were warmly welcomed. Kerry and his wife Lynne are both GGREC Life Members and have both been associ-ated with the Club since the late 70’s Saturday: We opened up the recrea-tion hall and staged a barbecue lunch. Those present were: ourselves Ian and Dianne, Kerry and Lyn, Al-bert VK3BQO, Trish and Anita, Dave VK3XMF, Cathie, Kate and William, Bruno VK3BFT, Paul VK3TGX and Marianna, Pat VK3OZ, Phil VK3YB, Cathy, Kerry May and Bradley, Gra-hame VK3YCG, and Susan, Barrie VK3NJB, Rita and their cute little puppy Gilly, as well as a half a dozen of the local amateurs that we had met the night before. After lunch we all went off to have a look at the Maryborough railway sta-tion, which now houses an antique shop and a café, were we had coffee and a very yummy cake. Dinner at the pub was delicious but I think I would have exploded had I eaten anything more on this week-end. Sunday: We all went off to the Sun-

day Market in the morning. We met Kerry and Lyn at their stall. Kerry was selling antennas and scanners and Lyn was selling her lovely ceramics. Our arms were getting tired from carrying all the goodies we bought, including some cheap books and a 1 kilo bag of delicious, locally grown apples. After the market we went to Maldon. We grabbed some pies at the bakery and walked up and down the road listening to all sorts of musicians as we went. We waved to the Campbell family as they rode through the streets of Maldon in a horse drawn carriage, and we marvelled and giggled at the brightly coloured Morris Danc-ers, prancing around with sticks, hoops and bells. Due to the music festival in town unfortunately the road to the lookout tower was closed. We will have to go back there next time because it afforded brilliant views. Dave VK3FW and his wife Roz arrived at the caravan park just in time to join us for a take away meal in the recreation hall. After dinner we went to Talbot. We had a quick drink at the pub, then across the road to the obser-vatory. Who would have thought that there was that much math’s


GATEWAY MAGAZINE

Happy Birthday to you…….. The only birthday on the club database this month is: Albert Hubbard (December) Not listed? We don’t know then, please tell us!!! Let the Treas-urer know…...

GATEWAY MAGAZINE

Why not listen to the WIA news each week on the VK3RML repeater. It is on Sunday nights at 8pm and Wednesday 11am

GGREC Event Queue Nov 25 Moorabbin Airport Dec 9 Christmas Breakup at Cardinia Dam Jan 26, 27, 28 Australia Day weekend Feb 3 / 07 Working Bee Feb 17 / 07 Pub Night - where to be decided


Biggles Hubbard…... Flying High On Saturday 14th October, I was lucky enough to be asked to go along for a ride in a light aircraft owned by one of our members, Geoff VK3ZGW. For those who haven’t spoken to Geoff about his career, you would find he has enjoyed flying helicopters for many years with lots of exciting vocations in his resume. Although he doesn’t own a heli-copter, he does own a Piper 4 seater which is a high wing aircraft that Geoff has rebuilt from the frame up and has done a fantastic job; one because it looks great and two be-cause it stays in the air – Ha! He has spent many hours setting up the communications within the craft to allow pilot and passenger to switch between air traffic control channels to Amateur Radio communications. The setup includes having internal intercom be-tween pilot and passenger at all times even if the pilot is on a separate comms channel. This makes it very convenient. In saying the above, you have to remember that in a light aircraft, you all need headphones to commu-nicate due to the high internal noise. Not having flown in a small aircraft for nearly 15 years. I had forgotten that I had to keep my elbows to myself but I did remember to use the deodorant before jumping aboard. Geoff says it is cosy which says it all. He took off from Tyabb airport where the Piper is hangered and picked me up from Tooradin airport (yes he did land to do that). A con-tinuous contact was held with some Club members. These included Ivan VK3ARV, Helmut VK3DHI, Pat VK3OZ, Noel VK3CJJ, Reg VK3UK and Bruno VK3BFT at the . We flew over the BQO house in Ny-ora first and took several photos. Unfortu-nately I could not make myself heard on the mobile phone when I called home to get the insiders to come out and wave at us. I must

admit it was surprising to see the back yards of our neighbours that had eluded us since we moved in to our 5 acre prop-erty about 18 months ago. There is more to our neighbours than we thought. With a short time of indecision, we then flew over to Drouin where the Jackson’s Oc-tagonal house was very easy to locate. Once again we could not muster up any activity so several more photos and a wave goodbye saw us heading to Paken-ham where we circled Helmut’s house. The DHI abode is nestled amongst many houses in downtown Pakenham so it was hard to get a bearing even though the man himself was out in the back yard guiding us in. I managed to snap a shot or two of Helmut’s tower and I must admit, I took a couple of shots of I don’t know what when I thought I was looking straight at the house. However the mission was accomplished. So on to Cranbourne where Bruno (Sadie) was busily cleaning the Club Rooms. Bruno could be seen waving his mop at us but he could not hear us on his hand held although we could hear him. The floors looked pretty clean from up there Bruno. Good job. Our journey took us back to Tooradin where we circled Pat Pavey’s House be-fore returning to the airport. A slight bumpy touch down prompted a “ it was the wind which caused that” comment from the pilot who did not have to justify any of his flying to me as the whole flight was excellent. . If I am lucky enough to be asked again to go along for the ride, I would not spend time taking so many photos; more time spent enjoying the ride. Thank you Geoff for a great time. Albert VK3BQO.

GATEWAY MAGAZINE

Why not listen to the WIA news each week on the VK3RML repeater. It is on Sunday nights at 8pm and Wednesday 11am

GGREC Event Queue Nov 25 Moorabbin Airport Dec 9 Christmas Breakup at Cardinia Dam Jan 26, 27, 28 Australia Day weekend Feb 3 / 07 Working Bee Feb 17 / 07 Pub Night - where to be decided

GATEWAY MAGAZINE

Biggles Hubbard…... Flying High On Saturday 14th October, I was lucky enough to be asked to go along for a ride in a light aircraft owned by one of our members, Geoff VK3ZGW. For those who haven’t spoken to Geoff about his career, you would find he has enjoyed flying helicopters for many years with lots of exciting vocations in his resume. Although he doesn’t own a heli-copter, he does own a Piper 4 seater which is a high wing aircraft that Geoff has rebuilt from the frame up and has done a fantastic job; one because it looks great and two be-cause it stays in the air – Ha! He has spent many hours setting up the communications within the craft to allow pilot and passenger to switch between air traffic control channels to Amateur Radio communications. The setup includes having internal intercom be-tween pilot and passenger at all times even if the pilot is on a separate comms channel. This makes it very convenient. In saying the above, you have to remember that in a light aircraft, you all need headphones to commu-nicate due to the high internal noise. Not having flown in a small aircraft for nearly 15 years. I had forgotten that I had to keep my elbows to myself but I did remember to use the deodorant before jumping aboard. Geoff says it is cosy which says it all. He took off from Tyabb airport where the Piper is hangered and picked me up from Tooradin airport (yes he did land to do that). A con-tinuous contact was held with some Club members. These included Ivan VK3ARV, Helmut VK3DHI, Pat VK3OZ, Noel VK3CJJ, Reg VK3UK and Bruno VK3BFT at the . We flew over the BQO house in Ny-ora first and took several photos. Unfortu-nately I could not make myself heard on the mobile phone when I called home to get the insiders to come out and wave at us. I must

admit it was surprising to see the back yards of our neighbours that had eluded us since we moved in to our 5 acre prop-erty about 18 months ago. There is more to our neighbours than we thought. With a short time of indecision, we then flew over to Drouin where the Jackson’s Oc-tagonal house was very easy to locate. Once again we could not muster up any activity so several more photos and a wave goodbye saw us heading to Paken-ham where we circled Helmut’s house. The DHI abode is nestled amongst many houses in downtown Pakenham so it was hard to get a bearing even though the man himself was out in the back yard guiding us in. I managed to snap a shot or two of Helmut’s tower and I must admit, I took a couple of shots of I don’t know what when I thought I was looking straight at the house. However the mission was accomplished. So on to Cranbourne where Bruno (Sadie) was busily cleaning the Club Rooms. Bruno could be seen waving his mop at us but he could not hear us on his hand held although we could hear him. The floors looked pretty clean from up there Bruno. Good job. Our journey took us back to Tooradin where we circled Pat Pavey’s House be-fore returning to the airport. A slight bumpy touch down prompted a “ it was the wind which caused that” comment from the pilot who did not have to justify any of his flying to me as the whole flight was excellent. . If I am lucky enough to be asked again to go along for the ride, I would not spend time taking so many photos; more time spent enjoying the ride. Thank you Geoff for a great time. Albert VK3BQO.

GATEWAY MAGAZINE


Friday: Ian VK3BUF and I, VK3JDI, arrived at the caravan park at about 7pm . We grabbed a quick bite to eat and then joined Kerry Clayton VK3KFC at the meeting of the local amateur radio club, where we were warmly welcomed. Kerry and his wife Lynne are both GGREC Life Members and have both been associ-ated with the Club since the late 70’s Saturday: We opened up the recrea-tion hall and staged a barbecue lunch. Those present were: ourselves Ian and Dianne, Kerry and Lyn, Al-bert VK3BQO, Trish and Anita, Dave VK3XMF, Cathie, Kate and William, Bruno VK3BFT, Paul VK3TGX and Marianna, Pat VK3OZ, Phil VK3YB, Cathy, Kerry May and Bradley, Gra-hame VK3YCG, and Susan, Barrie VK3NJB, Rita and their cute little puppy Gilly, as well as a half a dozen of the local amateurs that we had met the night before. After lunch we all went off to have a look at the Maryborough railway sta-tion, which now houses an antique shop and a café, were we had coffee and a very yummy cake. Dinner at the pub was delicious but I think I would have exploded had I eaten anything more on this week-end. Sunday: We all went off to the Sun-

day Market in the morning. We met Kerry and Lyn at their stall. Kerry was selling antennas and scanners and Lyn was selling her lovely ceramics. Our arms were getting tired from carrying all the goodies we bought, including some cheap books and a 1 kilo bag of delicious, locally grown apples. After the market we went to Maldon. We grabbed some pies at the bakery and walked up and down the road listening to all sorts of musicians as we went. We waved to the Campbell family as they rode through the streets of Maldon in a horse drawn carriage, and we marvelled and giggled at the brightly coloured Morris Danc-ers, prancing around with sticks, hoops and bells. Due to the music festival in town unfortunately the road to the lookout tower was closed. We will have to go back there next time because it afforded brilliant views. Dave VK3FW and his wife Roz arrived at the caravan park just in time to join us for a take away meal in the recreation hall. After dinner we went to Talbot. We had a quick drink at the pub, then across the road to the obser-vatory. Who would have thought that there was that much math’s



Happy Birthday to you…….. The only birthday on the club database this month is: Albert Hubbard (December) Not listed? We don’t know then, please tell us!!! Let the Treas-urer know…...

GATEWAY MAGAZINE

I am under strict instructions not to forget

Christmas Breakup Our GGREC Christmas break up will take place at the Cardinia Reservoir on the 9th December 2006. Some committee members will be there at around 10.30 AM to reserve a space in the BBQ area.

How to get there:

The entrance is from Wellington Road in to Car-dinia Creek Road. (Melway 126B11) Also, please re-fer to the two maps in the magazine.

Drive through the gate and follow the road down to the carpark near BBQ area. A short walk takes you to the spacious BBQ area. Bring your chairs and camping tables along. Open fire places and fire wood is provided by the park.

Communication is via 146.225 Mhz.

73 de Helmut, VK3DHI

CTCSS FOR IRLP IS NOW 123Hz

See maps on the following pages - follow the big black arrows!!!! (To Duffys Picnic Area) Wishing everybody a very merry, and safe, Christmas—there will be no gateway next month-be good or the fat man won’t

GATEWAY MAGAZINE


involved in looking through a tele-scope? Or that the sun was really an exercise ball. Monday: Ian and I were chauffeur driven to some wineries in Avoca by Bruno, in his Citroen, very comfort-able. Next on the itinerary was Moliagul, where the welcome stranger gold nugget was found. We walked through the bush for a while and then we were off to the Dunolly bakery, where we picked up a coffee scroll that was the size of a dinner plate, yum. Tuesday: Said goodbye to Kerry and Lyn at the caravan park in the morn-ing, then drove home in light traffic. We had a fantastic time and I thank Kerry and Lyn for all their help with planning and organizing this great weekend.


GATEWAY MAGAZINE

VHF data weak signal segments

Over the past few years, tremendous advances have been made in weak signal communications on the VHF and UHF bands using computer gen-erated data modes. "These modes enable communica-tions at or below the noise floor. Amateurs with modest stations are now making contacts over thousands of kilometers via EME and Meteor Scatter using these new modes"., WIA Director, Glenn Dunstan VK4DU said. "However, often these very weak data signals can not be detected by ear, which makes them incompatible with normal analogue SSB or CW signals. There have been instances

of interference caused by SSB op-erators who obviously can't hear the data signals". Should there be specific data sub bands, and, if so, where should they be? "The WIA seeks your comments on the suitability of VHF and UHF weak signal data sub bands. If there is sufficient support, we will modify the respective band plans to accommodate these new seg-ments." Glenn said. Please send your comments by email to Glenn at [email protected]

• Adults are always asking little kids what they want to be when they grow up because they're looking for ideas. Paula Poundstone

• There's nothing that can help you understand your beliefs more than trying to explain them to an inquisitive child. Frank A. Clark

• The easiest way to teach children the value of money is to borrow some from them. Anonymous

• He who teaches children learns more than they do. German Proverb

• Children are the anchors that hold a mother to life. Sophocles

• Humour helps us to think out of the box. The average child laughs about 400 times per day, the average adult laughs only 15 times per day. What happened to the other 385 laughs? Anonymous


Christmas Hamper

Each year we put stuff in the basket and then raffle it off. The club makes a bit of money and somebody scores a good hit for Christmas.

HOWEVER WE NEED MORE

STUFF TO MAKE IT UP TO STAN-

DARD!

Bring something along to the next

meeting and help to make this years Hamper the best yet!

GATEWAY MAGAZINE

NEVER FLATTEN YOUR CAR BATTERY AGAIN

SM155: $162.00, SM155b: $107.00, Postage: $6.00 (10% discount for GGREC members)

The SM155 battery link ver-sion is shown here

The SM155b module will automatically activate your communications equipment & 12V accessories when you start your engine. It will power down your equipment 9 or 90 minutes after your engine is turned off. The larger SM155 version has a 200Amp contactor to manage the charging of a second battery for your vehicle. This per-mits you to jump-start your vehicle at a push of a button.

Both versions are microprocessor controlled and feature LED function indi-cators, manual override controls and chirp morse code status tones when linking and un-linking to batteries. Full details available at the web site.

12 month warranty

Contact Alian Electronics on (03) 5625 2545 or visit: alianelectronics.com.au

Biggles Hubbard - see story page 9 (Who’s flying that thing then?)

GATEWAY MAGAZINE

ACMA to investigate BPL interference

The extremely high level of interfer-ence experienced by radio amateur Ian Paul VK3FIOP at Mt Beauty in north-east Victoria is now the sub-ject of a written complaint to the Australian Communications and Me-dia Authority. He has exercised his right as the holder of an apparatus licence to lodge a formal written complaint to ACMA about the inter-ference. Ian has a firm ground for doing so. The interference was confirmed as BPL, its source known and substan-tial and harmful impact to this li-censed amateur service communica-tions well documented. The latest is that the BPL system operated by SP AusNet radiates 60dB over S9 signal emissions over the entire 3.5 MHz to 30 MHz spec-trum. Ian VK3FIOP appears to be the first VK radio amateur to actually lodge a formal complaint of interference to ACMA. The amateur service, being a li-censed radiocommunications service, is protected from substantial inter-ference under sections of the Radio-communications Act. ACMA is the Authority responsible for administrating the provisions of

the Act and is required to investi-gate cases of interference when they are reported. Without complaints, BPL opera-tors may be able to claim that the technology is not cited in any for-mal way to have caused interfer-ence to radiocommunications. It is vitally important that any radio amateur affected by BPL interference first verify that the interference is in fact caused by a BPL system, and secondly lodge an effective interference complaint with ACMA. Without a valid and effective in-terference complaint lodged with ACMA little can be done. The WIA provides a BPL interfer-ence advisory service to all radio amateurs - whether they are WIA members and non-members. Check out http://www.wia.org.au/BPL/ Also available is an MP3 audio file of the BPL interference recorded by Ian VK3FIOP. Check it out http://www.wia.org.au/BPL/bplaudio_operat.mp3

GATEWAY MAGAZINE

Meeting Minutes Date: 20th October 2006 Start time: 08:15 PM. Location: Guide Hall Cranbourne. Chairperson: Albert Hubbard VK3BQO Minute Taker: Bruno Tonizzo VK3BFT Present: As per attendance sheet. Visitors and Guests: Nil Apologies: Phil Pavey VK3YB, Ian Jackson, VK3BUF, Dianne Jackson VK3HDI, Ross Jackson VK3ZAP, Hal Jackson, Ron Robertson, VK3EXJ, Naree Ide. Correspondence Received: EMDRC Monthly Magazine. Letter for Public Li-ability Insurance renewal. AR Magazine. Correspondence Sent: Nil Treasurer’s Report: Income : $194.00 Expenditure : $625.69 Balance : $5336.68 (See tabled fi-nancial report). Read by: Mike Ide, VK3KTO Moved by: Helmut Inhoven, VK3DHI Seconded by: Russ White VK3MWR Carried: Yes New Call signs - Nil Previous Minutes: As printed in the March 2006 GATEWAY magazine. Read by: Albert Hubbard Moved by: Mike Ide, VK3KTO Seconded by: Graeme Brown VK3BXG Carried: Yes Business Arising from Previous Minutes: • Foundation Licence training & assessment will be on the weekend of 28/29 October at the Peter Pavey GGREC Clubroom. The assessment will be conducted by Peter VK3TQ & Bill VK3DOU. • The new GGREC Membership list has been sent out. Please let the com-mittee know if errors are still present. • Maryborough weekend trip looks like being a great success. A Saturday Pub night has been booked, the first 20 people will get in. (The others will need to keep drinking in the bar !!-VK3BFT) • JOTA will start tomorrow at 1:00 PM Helpers can arrive at approx 11:00 AM to set up and prepare the Hall / radio room etc. Please come along and be part of a great day, demonstrating what amateur radio can do for the community. • The new GGREC radio room has been officially named the Peter Pavey GGREC Clubroom. The Committee will now prepare a sign / plaque to be placed on the building. • IRLP repeater is working OK with new repeater identification recordings stating the location and access frequency of the repeater.



The Pres Says….. A few of us have just returned from the Maryborough trip. In fact 23 attended the Pub on Saturday night. These in-cluded Kerry and Lynne Clayton who we all thanked for having things ready for us when we arrived. The weekend was a great success due to their organis-ing but we also thanked Ian and Dianne Jackson for their adventures earlier in the year to reconnoitre the area. There was plenty to see and do all weekend and I think Paul Stubbs may have shot a few Gigabytes of photos for posterity. So there’s our Cup Weekend trip gone for another year. I don’t suppose it is too early to start wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. As this edition is being sent to you during November and there is no December edition (maybe), this will be my last chance to put these words to paper in 2006. Once again it has been a very busy year for radio, work and home. I am happy with my own progress in all three activities but I have a list of things to do that will never be finished. I keep saying I love having things to do but sometimes it is nice to take a break from it all. I hope everyone else is going to have a restful holiday period – One that is safe and fun. Thanks to those guys who took the time to help at JOTA this year. The guides were most appreciative and I must ad-mit the meals we received were ex-tremely tasty. Few contacts were made as conditions were not all that great. However we burned a few of the cob-webs from the Club rigs. Also a very special thanks to the people

who gave up their weekend to perform the training and consequent examina-tion of five candidates for the Founda-tion Certificate. The weekend was very tiring for all but I am sure we all walked away feeling satisfied that we had done our best to pass on as much useful information as we could in the time allotted to us. The information must have been ok as 4 out of 5 passed the written exam and all 5 passed the practical exam. Congratulations to all the participants and we hope to hear them on the air as soon as they are able to get a callsign. In particular we must thank Pater VK3TQ from FAM-PARC who gave up his Sunday to help us with our first session. Also Bill VK3DOU who has been tireless in his efforts to become an assessor and be-come experienced. Of course for those who didn’t know, Graeme VK3BXG is an invigilator and worked with the assessors on the day. He also requires thanking for his efforts. The Christmas Hamper is looking pretty sad this year. Please make a concerted effort to fill the basket at this meeting as the tickets will be sold at the meeting and during the break up, and the winner will be drawn at the break up. Well that’s it for ’06. See you at the Meeting and the Break-up Party at Cardinia on the 9th December (see map in mag.) 73s Albert Vk3BQO

GATEWAY MAGAZINE

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Ponderosa BQO from the air, see page 9 for story

Chief Pilot Geoff ZGW

So it’s not really a doughnut after all…. It’s a mush-room!

GATEWAY MAGAZINE

It has been noted that there appears to be interference getting into the input from a cable TV source somewhere in Cranbourne. Investigations are continuing. • Russ White VK3MWR mentioned that June Fox had passed away. June was a valued member of the WIA, having worked in the Caulfield office for many years. Anyone who had been in contact with the WIA office would have been helped by June. She will be sadly missed. New Business: • Andrew Clinkaberry has fulfilled one of his ambitions - to be a radio disc jockey !! Andrew is presenting a program on 103.1 FM on Wednesday nights at 8:00 PM. Tune in and listen as Andrew is giving the Club some good exposure. • Albert Hubbard was “ONAIR” as he was flown around the South Eastern towns of Melbourne by Geoff Williams – VK3ZGW. Albert flew over Pakenham, Drouin, Cranbourne, and Nyora landing safely at Tooradin. GGREC Club mem-bers were in constant communications with Albert during the flight on 146.225 MHz. To say that Albert was excited would be an understatement!! Photos will be on display at the next Prac / GM night. Thanks must go to Geoff for providing this great opportunity. • 2007 Call book orders are now being taken by the WIA. Copies will be available from G&C Communications in Cranbourne. Call in and say hello one of our valued sponsors. • The Christmas Hamper is now available for members to fill up. The Club will be providing a HAM for the hamper. Please bring your donations to the next Prac or GM meetings. Raffle tickets are $1 each or 3 for $2. • The GGREC Christmas break-up party will be at the Cardinia Dam Reser-voir. Enter via Cardinia Creek rd (Melway map 126 B-11). Contact us on 146.225 MHz on arrival to find out where we have set up camp. • There has been a suggestion that we get Tony Langdon - VK3JED to come along and give us a talk on the latest development with IRLP. The only blocker is that Tony lives in Laverton and may not agree to make the long trip to Cran-bourne. Albert will contact Tony so stay tuned, there is more info to come. If Tony agrees to come, we will organise a special meeting at the Club rooms for this event. It will not be a Prac or GM night. ******** IMPORTANT NOTICE ********

NO PRAC NIGHT IN JANUARY 2007

November Prac night is on the night before the Maryborough trip so there may not be many regulars turning up on that night. Don’t let that stop you from going just make sure you have a key to get in. Meeting Closed at around 9:03.753 PM.


ggrec cranbourne gateway 3977 the official journal …ggrec.org.au/magazines/200611.pdf · new...

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